Explorers.

During the second season, DS9 focused its stories more and more on characters. But as Jake grew up it became harder to figure out how to handle the father-son relationship with Sisko. Then, in the third season, the perfect story came along, pitched by show intern Hilary Bader. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing, Drew Stewart, and Ben McCormick to discuss “Explorers” and how inspiration from Heyerdahl’s 1947 voyage aboard the Kon-Tiki was the perfect vehicle for bringing the two Siskos together. We also explore the budding bromance between O’Brien and Bashir, and whether we’re losing something special in our lives as the digital age takes over from the analog.

In our news segment we find Creation Entertainment encouraging another run at the costume record at Star Trek Las Vegas, take a peek at what DS9’s logo could have been, cook breakfast with the Enterprise spatula, take QMx’s NX-01 artisan replica for a flight, and discuss John Eaves’s account of designing Star Trek Into Darkness. Plus, we reveal a cosplay loophole that could help fans shatter that world record set at Destination Star Trek London.

The Nth Degree.

Following the success of “Hollow Pursuits” in TNG’s third season, the writers began looking for a way to bring Dwight Schultz back to reprise the role of Barclay. But they wanted it to be a meaningful return, and so the search began for just the right story that would do justice to the character. The end results was a tale that would see a socially challenged man transformed into a braniac. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Daniel Proulx and Phillip Gilfus to discuss the return of Barclay in “The Nth Degree” as well as his portrayal later on in the series and on Voyager.

In our news segment we look at Voyager toys and collectibles from over the years, Hallmark’s 2014 ornament lineup, critique the final cover art for the Blu-ray and DVD releases of Star Trek Into Darkness, and remember the first Klingon seen in Star Trek—Victor Lundin—who passed away at the age of 83. We also explain why putting a Horta on your Christmas tree may not be the best idea.

Spock’s Brain.

On September 20, 1968, after successfully rescuing Star Trek from cancellation, fans were greeted with the premiere of a third season. When you’ve been given a second chance, you want to put your best foot forward. So rather than going with the first new episode filmed, the producers reached deeper into the bag to pull out the season premiere. And the story they chose was “Spock’s Brain.” In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Drew Stewart, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Jennie Zell to explore this legendary episode to find out why—rather than being the worst episode of Star Trek as is so often claimed—it is truly a brilliant work of art.

In our news segment we look at the Smithsonian Channel’s Real Story of Star Trek, an expanded soundtrack release for Insurrection from GNP Crescendo, some unique Into Darkness promotions from Japan—including a track featuring Kyary Pamyu Pamyu—and news about the next Star Trek film. Plus, we hit the club to try out the latest dance craze—the Riker Maneuver.

Stigma.

During Viacom’s HIV Awareness campaign of early 2003, Brannon Braga and Rick Berman penned an Enterprise episode that drew parallels between the disease and the Vulcan practice of mindmelding. It’s one of the show’s more heavy-handed moments of social commentary, yet still has much to say about rights and equality beyond HIV and AIDS. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Warp Five’s Kate Walsh and John Champion of Mission Log to discuss this episode, “Stigma,” the arrogance and intolerance of 22nd-century Vulcans, how the episode applies to general LGBT rights in the modern day, and the pros and cons of the unique family structure of Denobulans.

In our news segment we look at the DVD release of Shatner’s Captain’s Close Up series, a special best of TOS Blu-ray called Star Trek: Origins, a Trek-themed hotel suite in Brazil, and Star Trek Into Darkness Live In Concert. Plus, we find out why Star Trek and Pokémon have more in common than you might think.

Thirty Days.

Tom Paris started his life on Voyager as the carefree badboy. But over the course of seven seasons he grew more than perhaps any other character. The journey was not without its bumps though, as was the case when he found himself back in prison—or at least the brig—after violating Janeway’s orders under Monean waters. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Tristan Riddell and Daniel Proulx to discuss “Thirty Days” and how, though it meant a demotion for Tom, it showed he had learned to care about things bigger than himself.

In our news segment we look at the Saturn Award win for the TNG remastered team, the TNG Season Five Blu-ray trailer, a Star Trek t-shirt design contest, and Chris finally gets to talk a bit about his impressions of Star Trek Into Darkness. Plus, we remember the prolific writing career of Richard Matheson, who passed away on June 23.